Hospital unveils main entrance and skywalk at open house

Area residents are invited to get their first look inside War Memorial Hospital’s new Main Entrance building on Tuesday, Nov. 13, when the organization hosts an open house from 5-7 p.m.

Guests will enjoy guided tours of the new facility, including five private patient admitting rooms, an expanded family waiting area for surgery cases, and a main lobby with a volunteer-staffed information desk and larger gift shop.

The hospital’s new front door will open into an impressive space following a one-year, $4.6 million construction project that includes a Skywalk connecting the hospital to the parking structure and Medical Office Building. In the planning stages since late 2009, construction began in September 2011 and will be complete just in time for Tuesday’s opening.

Patient confidentiality was one of several pressing needs that led WMH to expand its facility. Five private admitting rooms will replace open booths of the past, putting patients at ease as they provide sensitive information while being registered for services.

“Bringing this project to completion will enhance the experience of our patients. We believe patient privacy, access to our facilities and the availability of parking will all be positively affected with the opening of the main entrance,” said Chief Executive Officer David Jahn.

Hospital officials expect patients will make the most of the new Skywalk, connecting the main hospital building and Medical Office Building to the enclosed parking structure. With indoor parking and indoor access between buildings, patients will no longer have to worry about inclement weather or parking availability.

“National healthcare reform is mandating that service providers improve not only the quality of care delivered, but also a very high level of patient satisfaction. War Memorial Hospital is addressing all aspects of the patient care experience with projects like this one and the upcoming Emergency Department expansion, scheduled to begin in early 2013,” said Marla Bunker, WMH Vice President of Operations.

The hospital obtained financial assistance for the project from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which provided direct loans in the amount of $1.7 million. The USDA also provided a loan guarantee so the hospital could secure an additional $2.6 million loan from Central Savings Bank. In a recent community meeting, Jahn explained why it was a sound investment for the hospital’s future.

“Enhancing a person’s experience at the hospital has always been a priority, but it now has financial implications as well. Under the new rules of Medicare, up to two percent of our reimbursement could be put at risk, depending upon patient satisfaction. If, however, we receive good scores, we may get extra dollars,” the CEO said.

USDA State Director James Turner is expected to be in attendance at the open house, joining members of the hospital Board of Trustees, Mayor, and other dignitaries for an official ribbon cutting at 5:30 p.m. From 5-6:45 p.m., tours will depart every 15 minutes and light refreshments will be served at the Tuesday evening event. Parking in the city structure will be free of charge, so guests are encouraged to park inside and take advantage of the Skywalk.